Loving couple king, queen of Pico triathlon

NASUGBU, Batangas, Philippines – Australian Stu Fitch of Timex made the second Pico-Tri Invitation look like a family affair as he followed the lead of his wife, women’s pro division champ Ali, in landing a top podium finish in the 1.2 km-swim, 35-km bike and 8-km run races at the panoramic Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club here.

Fitch, 58, negotiated the course laid out in this picturesque coastal destination in Hamilo Coast, Barangay Papaya in 2:06:58, to rule the 55-above category, giving his 40-year-old better half much more reason to celebrate her record-breaking triumph earlier.

The couple from Darwin expressed excitement in competing in triathlon races together. That Ali won the women’s pro tiara in record fashion, a solid proof that she’s back after getting slowed down by injuries in 2009-11, made this all the more memorable for them. 

“Great racing with my wife. On the race I cheered on Ali when she’s on the bike, on the run. Nice feeling to see her out there and leading. She had a very long period of injury; now she’s back in racing. I’m very proud to see her winning,” said a proud Stu, who competes in age groups under the tutelage of his better half.

“I love it (racing together),” said Ali, also a physiotherapist. “It’s much better doing it together. It’s nice and he always has the energy to say ‘Go Ali’ but I never have the strength to say ‘Go Stu’ and all I can do is grump or smile but I enjoy it.”

Stu and Ali first met in a swimming training session in Darwin in 2005, instantly hit it off and eventually tied the knot a year later in Maui, Hawaii just after the Ironman World Championships in Kona.

“We love each other and we love the sport,” he declared.

Couples have become common in triathlon competitions. 

Men’s pro champion Mat O’Halloran and girlfriend Joyette Jopson normally race together. As do men’s third placer Dan Brown and wife Ani de Leon-Brown of Next Step Tri, who topped the female 30-39 race in 2:17:58.

“It seems like a recent phenomenon but it’s healthy, I guess,” said Brown, who also works as Pico de Loro’s in-house sports and recreation consultant along with Ani.

“We have something in common. Mostly that’s good but sometimes, it’s too much for some people. But from my point of view Ani understands if I got a bit tired, what’s involved to train regularly and having a good routine.”

Jopson missed the deadline for entering the 30-34 age group here but got content just cheering for Canadian O’Halloran.

“It’s good also for me to just support him instead of racing, because he said sometimes when we’re both racing, he’s more stressed since he thinks not only about himself but about me, too,” said Jopson, who met regular Phl visitor O’Halloran in a race in Subic in 2008.

“I’m also happy I didn’t race because I was able to tell him say, (closest rival and eventual runner-up) Fredrik (Croneborg) is closing the gap, like that, a little coaching on the side,” she added.

Sharing the limelight as champs were Jaime Miguel Navarro of UPLB Trantados (male 24-below, 2:16:37); Raymund Gerard Velasco of Secondwind Sun Broadband (male 25-29, 2:10:45); Andy Leuterio of Fitness First (male 30-34,  2:02:47); Junrox Roque (male 35-39, 2:18:21);

Levy Ang of Polo Tri (male 40-44, 2:11:03); Itong Torres (male 45-49, 2:17:32); Edwin Caguiat of Gloria Jeans Coffee Tri (male 50-54, 2:21:20);  Kim Kilgroe (female 29-below, 2:22:29); Mariella Marintez Powell of Clear Sabak (female, 40-above 2:32:10). Integrated Montessori Center topped the relay with 1:49:15.